>>713214
!!!!!!

>>712895
>the only person who has made me feel anything close to what I felt for Mosi
We should probably ask about Mosi.

>>713252
One assumes that was his last marriage.

GIVE HIM A HUG AND A LIL KISS ON THE NOSIE

>>713207
Hold him.

>I'm sorry for talking over you
If I didn't trust you enough to talk over me from time to time I wouldn't be marrying you. Part of that is fighting each others battles, right?

>>713207
Hug him, and tell him that things are going to be fine. Say something about you not seeing him crying as a sign of weakness, but as a sign of how strong the bond between you two has grown.

Then hug him more and comfort mr. nice butt.

Hey Y'all!!!
updates for all my stuff are on hold for a while as I've lost my tablet pen and don't have the money to get a replacement one.
Next paycheck it's Priority One.

>>713775
Roger that. Good lucK, Brom.

Brom 2016/04/05(Tue)22:39 No. 714173 ID: 2a2f8a
File 145992119059.png - (468.60KB , 960x560 , 155.png )

"Well." Strela clears her throat. "I'm not mad. I'm glad you recognized it, anyway. And it was, uh."
Bruco takes a deep, shaky breath.
Strela gives up.

She crosses to the tree and holds him.
He slides down the trunk and scoots over. She lays her head on his chest.

Eventually the sniffling stops and his breath levels out.
Strela thinks of getting up then but this is too nice.
They just lie there in the dappled sun for a while. Maybe a half hour. The sun is warm. So's Bruco.

It's Bruco who finally says something.
"So what now?"

A]] _____________

Go home, get married, start trying to find out where the arrows are coming from so you can go there and kick the asses of every motherfucker in sight.

"Well, how about we head home, get married, have a bitchin' honeymoon, then take a little vacation? I'm thinking for the next decade or so."

>>714173
50 babies. ALL SORCERERS. Also uh there's that whole maybe cult war thing.

>>714173
well, the wedding comes first. we're on a time limit. after that, I'm thinking going back here to help with the research maybe? find out more about the cult before the war maybe? there's still plenty of time before the apocalypse, it's not like our questlife ends as soon as we're married.

>>713775
Can we like send you money or a new pen or something? It's in our own best interests, after all.

Today, the marriage, tomorrow, the World.

Brom 2016/04/06(Wed)14:03 No. 714245 ID: 2a2f8a
File 145997659570.png - (176.93KB , 960x560 , 156.png )

It's Bruco and Strela's wedding day.

Their dower sits in the wide courtyard between Leonial's fortress and the Bandara retinue's tent city.

Brom 2016/04/06(Wed)14:03 No. 714246 ID: 2a2f8a
File 145997661921.png - (83.54KB , 960x560 , 157.png )

In her room, in the Leonial pavilion, Strela is painting herself in preparation.

There's a delicate knock at her door.
"Who is it?" she calls.
"Your father." The door cracks a little and Strela sees a sliver of Marlock. "May I come in?"
"Fine." Strela refocuses on her makeup. "Hello, Marlock."
"Hello, Strela." Marlock slips into the room. After Bruco's heavy tread it's a little unsettling she can't hear his footsteps.

Strela looks at him in her mirror. He's sheepish, uncertain.

"You look very presentable," he says.
"Presentable." Strela retouches her eyelid. "Thanks."
"Beautiful. I apologize. The dower--" Marlock clasps his hands behind his back. "Well. An excellent recovery."

Strela dips her fingertip in her bowl of water and watches the paint blossom out.

"I am not your father by blood," Marlock says. "And perhaps there have been times-- well, certainly there have been times-- that I could have-- I suppose affection was never a powerful thing between us, was it, Strela."
"I suppose not," Strela says.
"But if you will permit me-- and perhaps I am out of turn by saying this-- but, ah." His voice quavers a little.
Strela turns round in her chair.

"I am proud of you, Strela," Marlock says. "I am sure your mother would have been proud of you as well. You have become a very splendid young woman. And a splendid sorceress. In spite of my every foolish old effort." He inclines his face away from hers. "And I'm sorry. That it must be this way."

A]] You are out of turn saying that. What do you have to be proud of?
B]] Thank you, Marlock.
C]] Thank you, Marlock. For everything you've done for me.
D]] He'll be an all right husband. There's enough raw material to fashion something acceptable.
E]] I actually like him. A lot.
F]] There's something I have to tell you before the wedding, Marlock. About the cult.
G]] There's something I have to tell you before the wedding, Marlock. We found something beneath the temple. Something very bad.
H]] __________________

C. It all led up this, for better or worse. And F. Speaking of worse...
Enjoy the wedding while it lasts, as it may be the only thing that carries us through the days to come.

F, H) Bring all the guards and quadruple security, increase the patrol areas to key areas that were found during warfare. If the cultists plan on ruining your wedding day, they'll do it with artillery.

C, E. And H, a variant on F and G: "There's something I have to tell you, Marlock. Something we discovered, on our journey. Bad news, and at least some harder times to come. Part of it you need to know for sure, and perhaps you would want to know the rest as well, but that other part is... very much sorcerer's business, about which you can do little, and perhaps you'd prefer not to know. And perhaps you'd prefer to wait until after the wedding. I would like this to be a happy occasion, for as many people as it can be."

Gosh guys what's with the C votes? What happened to bitchy Strela? Now I want to vote for A just to compensate.

C

Guys can we maybe wait until after the wedding to talk about our screw-ups?

B.

>>714263
>What happened to bitchy Strela?
She went on a journey with a smelly ape man, caused a war, found a river of blood, talked to a ghost, and learned about the apocalypse.

A and F.

B, E

Not F or G. Save the fate of the world stuff for a more appropriate time, just enjoy your wedding day.

C, E
In retrospect he's done alright by Strela, and Bruco turned out to be a righteous dude.
So it's cool for the most part.
Just enjoy the wedding and worry about cults and the apocalypse tomorrow.

Just B, it worked out in the end... kinda, but this tradition is still stupid, and it's not as if he did anything to be proud of. No need to bitch at him, but there's also no need to boost his ego either. A decision with a higher chance of going wrong than going right is still a bad decision even if it works out in the end.

C, E. Man, what an ugly statue. Hard to believe this is the face that launched a thousand cultists.

H -> i'm proud of myself, too.

then E, then a variation of F - ask about security for the ceremony. if he asks why, mention that there are cultists still out there, and there's a less than zero percent change that they'll choose today for a visit. better safe than sorry, and the last thing we want right now is a game of thrones bit.

>>714246
C, E.

And call him Father, not Marlock, this time.

B, E. We're not thankful for everything he's done, but for this moment of vulnerable honesty? Admitting he's made mistakes? That Strela's badass? Thanks, dad.

Don't mention shitty stuff.

Brom 2016/04/07(Thu)00:18 No. 714439 ID: 2a2f8a
File 146001350395.png - (11.66KB , 960x560 , 158.png )

"I actually like him, I think," Strela says. "So."
"Ah. You-- The Bandara?" Marlock is genuinely shocked. "Well. That is-- gratifying to hear. Your first meeting was inauspicious."
"Things got better. Thank you, Marlock." A new and clumsy word combination on her tongue. "For everything you've done for me, I guess."

Marlock presses his lips together into a thin line. "I-- yes. You are welcome."
There's more Strela wants to say, not just the stuff about the cult. The rift between them starts to hurt in a way it rarely does.

"Well," Marlock says. "I hope you'll have more obedience to your husband than your father." He titters a little.
There goes that moment.
Strela joins him, lacking the energy to snap at him.
"I will speak to my son-in-law now," Marlock says. "The Bandara chiefess would like a moment of your time."
"She can come in," Strela says.
"She doesn't tend to look for permission," Marlock says. "I will see you at the Wedding. I'll be the one clapping."
He hovers in the doorway. "That was a joke."
"Thank you, Marlock."

"Strela Leonial." Yarga sways into the room. "You've gotten some of that Bandara good-good, haven't you."
Strela was not expecting that for an entrance. "What?"
"I knew there was fire," Yarga says. "Didn't I say that? I did."
"Did Bruco tell you--"
"Bruco didn't need to tell me anything, kid," Yarga says. "Knew as soon as you came in. There's a way a woman moves around a man who gives her good dick. So! You like each other." She looks Strela up and down. "Good hips, for a Leonial. Good muscle. And Bruco says you're not at all the icy shrew I pegged you for, it turned out."
"He--"
"You gonna be giving me grandkids soon?"
Strela just kind of stutters.
"Just kiddin. Don't feel rushed. Though I gotta admit I'm curious what they'll look like. Hope they have your eyebrows, eh? Is there-- ha." Yarga's found the wine. "Mind if I uncork this?" She uncorks it. "Anyway I just thought I should check if you have any questions about Bandara matrimonial life. Or about your husband in particular. Did you know he was scared of fish when he was a kid? Fish. So were you two thinking of staying with either of the tribes or just striking out on your own for a while? With the grandkids? Again kiddin. But curious. Do you want some of your own wine?"

A]] This is all wholly inappropriate in many ways, Chieftess Yarga.
B]] Bruco can stay with the Leonials.
C]] I was actually thinking of leaving with Tribe Bandara when this is over.
D]] We'll be traveling by ourselves for a while.
E]] Actually it's in both tribes' best interest if they stay in the same neighborhood for a while. There was a problem with a cult.
F]] Do not respond to the whole grandkids line of questioning.
G]] Respond to the whole grandkids line of questioning: _____________
H]] I do have some questions about the Bandaras, actually: ______________
I]] I do have some questions about Bruco, actually: _____________
J]] ___________________

>>714439
F.
A.
Don't commit to any traveling stuff. Heck, say you haven't decided where to go, you'll decide after the wedding.

H, ask if they usually kick as much ass as Bruco.

>>714439
e. mama bandara seems the type to appreciate directness.

>>714439
e. mama bandara seems the type to appreciate directness.

I feel like while bringing up the apocalypse can wait, or perhaps never be mentioned, the cult situation should be brought up ASAP, so people have as much time to prepare as possible.

E
G) You convince Bruco to carry the children to term for me, and I'll consider it. Can you imagine me pregnant? I can hear Bruco's spine shivering from the thought from here. And I think Marlock just shat his loincloth.

>>714452
This.

>>714452
Yes

H/I: What's Bruco's sister like?

Answer FE, iron maiden.

F, E, J we would like some wine thank you.
I like this woman already. She does whatever the fuck she wants, and I respect that.

>>714473
+J!

Oh, I have another one for I: why Bruco? Why force him into the marriage? It's kind of fucked up, if you think about it.

Brom 2016/04/08(Fri)19:32 No. 714949 ID: 2a2f8a
File 146016913111.png - (16.03KB , 960x560 , 159.png )

"I'd love some of my own wine." Strela passes Yarga a glass. "And if you can convince Bruco to carry the kid to term for me I'd consider it."
Yarga snorts as she pours. "He might if he could. He's smitten." She passes the glass back. "Oh I shouldn't a told you that. You're blushing."
"No I'm not." Strela covers her face. "I drank some before you came in."
"This is gonna be so cute," Yarga says. "I'm gonna need a handkerchief."
"So I do have a question," Strela says. "What's his sister like?"
"Oh, spirits." Yarga chuckles. "His sister. You let me worry about his sister."
Strela swallows her wine. That's a little foreboding. "And also why Bruco? Why him and not another Bandara?"
"Your answer to that question's more interesting than mine," Yarga says. "I oughta be asking you."

A]] You said it yourself: he's a good lay.
B]] My dad made me. But it's not bad.
C]] He's a powerful sorcerer and so am I. We could help each other.
D]] I love him.
E]] I think I'll love him some day.
F]] I don't know.
G]] But why a widower? He told me about his old husband.
H]] But why to a Leonial? Why do the clans want this?
I]] But why me? What is it about me that made you want me in the family?

(this one was more or less tied so vote on it here again:)
1]] Tell Yarga about the cult.
2]] Don't tell Yarga about the cult.
3]] IMPLY that you MAY have pissed SOME people off and it's PROBABLY a good idea to stick together for now.
4]] Tell Yarga everything; apocalypse and all.

B, D, 3

4]] DROP the load. The BIG load.
J]] He works with me. He's an equal, and that's tough to find here. Even my old Lional Beau was lacking in that category. That one was a good boytoy at least, so if Bruco's sis is looking for an exotic one, can't find a better Lional.

>>714949
B, C, E.

3]] IMPLY that you MAY have pissed SOME people off and it's PROBABLY a good idea to stick together for now.

I mean we got the statue from somewhere.

E, H, 3. You know how adventuring can be sometimes, the temple owners aren't very enthused by murderhobos coming to rob their stuff.

B, C.

4. She can take it. Hell, I'm thinking she'll be ecstatic about the epic fantasy heroine fulfillment.

D. Simple.
1. The apocalypse is a distant problem. The potential war with a hostile nation is pressing.

ABDHI 3

B, E, possibly H/I.

3, but willing to give the whole 1 if she wants to know. In fact, yeah, 1. It's kindof important, in the immediate future?

B 3

D H 3

G, 3 (then 1 when she bullies it out of you).

Modified D: I think I love him.

And C (you have something in common).

3.

f h i 3

Brom 2016/04/11(Mon)00:44 No. 715787 ID: 2a2f8a
File 146036067267.png - (12.75KB , 960x560 , 160.png )

"My dad made me do it," Strela says.
"I was there for that part," Yarga says. "That whole setup."
"Why did you do it anyway?" Strela asks. "Why a Leonial?"
"It was y'alls idea," Yarga says. "Tribe Felicites had a parcel of land got abandoned when they moved out to the water and it was smack dab between the two of us. Think Marlock was itchy to make sure there weren't any tribal war over it. And he had a hellion little daughter kicking around the place, he told us. A Leonial Sorceress, which we didn't think was a thing. Made sense to kick our own sorcerer over."
"Why?"
"He was the only one who could stand a chance against you, is why." Yarga chuckles. "Anyone else we reckoned you'd turn into a toad or somesuch. He told you about Bandara annulment, right?"
"He did," Strela says. "But it won't be necessary. I think I love him."
"Love?"
"I don't know. I think."
"Hot damn. A Bandara and a Leonial."
"Don't tell Bruco."
"Don't you trust me, baby?"
"You told me about him. Why wouldn't you tell him about me?"
"You just tell him yourself soon, kid," Yarga says. "
"Well hot damn." Yarga holds out her bottle of wine. "Here's to love."
Strela clinks glasses. "To love."

"And listen about the alliance thing." Strela clears her throat. "I don't know what you've all worked out, but you might want to stay around in the area. For a while. We may have pissed a few people off."
Yarga takes a swig. "Cultists want their gold back?"
"Maybe."
"Figured they might. What do we care?" She winks. "Got two sorcerers in our corner. And the power of loooove. You're gonna have to do something about it after the honeymoon, I suspect. Between all the hanky-panky."
Bandaras have a funny way of approaching potential crisis.

The wedding ceremony:
A]] will be held in Leonial tradition; at dusk, by torchlight, slow, beatific, and romantic.
B]] will be held in Bandara tradition; starting early then going all night, with wild partying and drinking.
C]] will be something completely different, as befits an unorthodox marriage: ________________

>>715787
C all the way
I suggest an elaborate ceremony culminating in kicking each other in the genitals as some sort of metaphor about sharing each other's pain going into the future

Alternatively, just go with the bandara ceremony to get one last fuck you in on dade

>>715787
C. Dusk, torchlight, romantic, but not quite as slow as usual, and PARTY afterwards.

>>715787
C. Start early, with a mostly Leonial style ceremony, but a Bandara afterparty. Anything you'd like to guarantee is a must. Also, maybe you two could consider tossing in something incorporating your sorcerous natures.

AYYYYYY >>715791

C) Start with seemingly traditional Leonial marriage rites, then after the vows start the party.

Our own sorcerer? You have two. You could have gay married me to his sister. Which, in a weird alternate universe, I'm sure you have. Bruca and Strela are married. Wait, no, Lionals would have hated that. Dum dum Lionals.
Also in a weird alternate universe are
Bruco and Strelo are married.
Bruca and Strelo are married.

>>715791
YO! C this one.

C - Slightly more amped up than usual Leonial wedding to to start, finish the vows and kick off the party with a massive sacred wedding bong rip

Brom 2016/04/12(Tue)22:27 No. 716172 ID: 2a2f8a
File 146052525789.png - (61.04KB , 960x560 , 161.png )

"OooooOOooooh," Andara coos. "How tragic this all is."

The moon is rising on the wedding feast, and as torches begin to flicker one after another into life the Leonial harpist on the hilltop sings full-throated into the night. Bandara and Leonial kids alike are climbing across the stage scaffolding and the stooped golden statue.

"My heart is breaking for you, Strela," Andara says. "The finest flower of Tribe Leonial, plucked by the rough hands of a Bandara! Tossed over his shoulder and taken off to some grotto to be ravaged!"

"I sincerely hope so."
Strela pops a grape into her mouth and chews. "You want my advice, Andara? Go out after the ceremony and find yourself a Monkey for the night."
Andara's eyes grow so wide as to threaten to drop from her skull.

The final lilting chords of harp drop away into the still air.
In its place comes a drumbeat: muted, but getting louder.

"That's my cue." Strela lowers her mask onto her face. "I'll see you when I see you, Andara."

Brom 2016/04/12(Tue)22:28 No. 716173 ID: 2a2f8a
File 146052528233.png - (63.58KB , 960x560 , 162.png )

The crowd parts around her as she climbs to the top of the hill.

She stands on the stage.
It's warm up here.

Brom 2016/04/12(Tue)22:28 No. 716174 ID: 2a2f8a
File 146052533013.png - (81.06KB , 960x560 , 163.png )

Bruco hoists himself up onto the stage opposite her.
Her heart does a backflip. He's been with the Bandaras all day. This is the first time she's seen him since they got back.

He holds out a hand.

Brom 2016/04/12(Tue)22:29 No. 716175 ID: 2a2f8a
File 146052536541.png - (124.19KB , 960x560 , 164.png )

Tribal weddings have no spoken vows.

Everything anyone needs to know about the two of you, and how your lives together will be, they find it out in how you dance.
So Bruco and Strela dance.

The drums drop out as they make contact. The two of them are the ones who decide the pace. It's not easy.

His Boar aspect steadies his feet. He moves with the same certainty and economy as his fighting. His feet beat out a steady rhythm on the stage.

She slithers and slides around him, padding a Viper tangent to his Boar beat. His hands catch her, twist her, and almost drop her off-balance.
They've never danced together. Neither of them are quite sure how to approach it. They're at a distance. The crowd has sucked all the motion from the air in a collective held breath.

But when you've fought with someone, and twice, and when you've slept with them too, you get better at reading them.
And slowly they start to find their footing together. Bruco becomes more light; Strela's steps gain a conviction. They move closer and closer together. Their dancing becomes perfect.
The drums start up again, quiet at first, then catching up and weaving through their dance.
They get bolder and faster. The drums speed up with them.

They're close enough to kiss if they didn't have their masks. Strela wants to taste him desperately.
The drums reach a crashing apex.
Bruco and Strela are dancing their asses off.

With a final thunderous tattoo the drums cease.
In the sudden drop of silence that follows Bruco catches Strela's shoulder and spins her into his arms.
She lets him pull her close.

Brom 2016/04/12(Tue)22:29 No. 716176 ID: 2a2f8a
File 146052537608.png - (20.37KB , 960x560 , 165.png )

She takes off his mask. He's beautiful.

He takes off her mask. The sudden exposure to the air makes her realize her face is wet and her makeup is running.
She's crying. She has never cried since the night her mother went away.
It feels amazing.

"Ready?" whispers Bruco.

A]] Yes.
B]] No.
C]] No, but let's do this anyway.
D]] I love you.
E]] Kiss him.
F]] _______________

>>716176
A.

>>716176
all of the above, clearly

C AND E

D and E! It's meant to be!

A, D, E.
This is so sweet and romantic I think I'm gonna die.

F. I LOEV U BRUNKO

F) Something's wrong!

End the ceremony fast and prepare for an assault!

>>716186
Kome I just want to say

as we wind this quest down

that your suggestions have meant the world to me and I think you're the best suggester on the site

>>716188
Is he a troll? Is he a madman? No. He is kome, and he is perfect.

KISS DE BOY!

C AND E...............

>>716176
d+e

A or C, and presumably E.


>>716188
And if nothing else, Kome is the only suggester whose suggestions I have ever been able to guess, "Oh, that's XYZ talking" without reading their name.

A.

Commence Shrek-like musical medley.

>>716176
A, D, E. in this order.

>>716194

Fuck a spoken vow, tell him C with E.

Smooch him so good he understands.

Brom 2016/04/13(Wed)11:55 No. 716269 ID: 2a2f8a
File 146057375729.png - (96.70KB , 960x560 , 166.png )

"Yes," Strela says.

"I love you, Bruco."
"I love you, Strela."

They kiss.
The crowd goes nuts.
The drums slam back up.
Bruco and Strela are still kissing.

And they're going to have to face down a cult together soon but they're still kisssing.
And Marlock is looking very uncomfortable now but they're still kissing.
And the world is ending but they're still kissing.

And with all the storm clouds in their future, and with me strongly considering some kind of continuation once I wrap up Static on the Wire, and with the full awareness that it's a dumb and archaic way to end a story, I should really know better than to finish with "And they live happily ever after".

Bruco and Strela are Married - End Brom 2016/04/13(Wed)11:56 No. 716270 ID: 2a2f8a
File 146057376288.png - (230.68KB , 960x560 , 167.png )

But they do.

Aaaahhhh!

10/10 ending

100/100

*RIPS MY SSHIRT OFF* YYYYEEEESSSSSS

*RAUCOUS APPLAUSE*
Congratulations, Brom! You've done it again!
That was absolutely outstanding!

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

Save progress.

>>716270
fucking beautiful/10

Wooo!